Latest News
NAFD sets up full disaster recovery solution for members
Mindful of the increasing reliance on technology in today’s business environment, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has joined forces with IT solutions specialist extech to offer its members a full disaster recovery solution.
NAFD presents Lifetime Achievement award to Bill Olner MP
NAFD presents Lifetime Achievement award to Bill Olner MP
Excellent support for the Autumn General Meeting
Attendance at the NAFD’s Autumn General Meeting (November 5) demonstrated once again the extent to which the Association enjoys support from its members and the interest so many are taking in its work on behalf of the profession.
NAFD meets government officials to debate key issues
On October 13 representatives from the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) embarked on the first of another round of meetings with key government officials when the Cross Party Group for Funerals and Bereavement in the Welsh Assembly met to discuss the Social Fund, retained ashes, Pandemic Flu and memorial safety.
New NAFD Energy Club drives costs down
In partnership with specialist energy consultant LSI, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has set up the NAFD Energy Club to help drive down the costs of its members’ commercial gas and electricity bills.
NAFD members conduct WW1 Veterans’ funerals
Three members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) were involved in the funerals of First World War Veterans Henry Allingham, 113, and 111-year old Harry Patch, who died within a week of each other earlier this summer, bringing to a close an important chapter in British history.
Social Fund reform moves a step closer
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has welcomed the consumer White Paper A Better Deal for Consumers: Delivering Real Help Now and Change for the Future, which has pledged that the Government will publish a consultation document concerning the long-term reform of the Social Fund, and is now pushing for a meeting with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) to put forward the profession’s views.
NAFD keeps parliamentary campaign on track
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is determined not to allow its campaign for reform of the system of Social Fund payments for funerals to be sidetracked by personnel changes at the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and will work with the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group to raise its concerns with the new Ministers appointed as a consequence of the Cabinet reshuffle and the fall out from the row over MPs’ expenses.
NAFD negotiates sector’s lowest card payment rates
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has teamed up with Elavon, a leading global card acquirer that processes over a billion transactions annually for more than a million merchants worldwide, to offer its members a new merchant services scheme with the lowest rates for payments made by credit or debit card.
NAFD Launches industry-leading professional indemnity cover
In another first for the profession, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is providing funeral directors with an industry-leading professional indemnity insurance package which provides cover per member of £2million for any one claim.
NFE 2009 - bigger and busier than ever!
The 2009 National Funeral Exhibition was bigger and busier than ever, with more than 170 exhibitors of funeral products and services taking over two halls at Stoneleigh Park Exhibition Centre. The show more than lived up to expectations with visitor numbers up 12% on the 2007 attendance figures and a 12.5% increase in exhibitors, including more than 20 overseas businesses, which helped to create a distinctly international flavour.
NAFD attends inaugural meeting of Northern Ireland’s parliamentary funeral group
Representatives from the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) travelled to Stormont on April 28 for the inaugural meeting of the newly formed All Party Assembly Group on Funerals and Bereavement in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
NAFD petitions Prime Minister over Social Fund payments
On Monday, April 20 the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) went to 10 Downing Street to petition the Prime Minister for improvements to the system of Social Fund payments for funerals.
NAFD launches exclusive telecoms offer
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has set up an exclusive telecoms package covering landlines, Broadband and mobile phones, and the response from NAFD members has been such that it is quickly developing into one of the Association’s most popular benefits of membership.
Excellent turn out for NAFD Northern Ireland meeting
Funeral directors from all over the Province attended the AGM of the Northern Ireland Area Federation of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) in Belfast on February 18, while the open forum which followed attracted a 100-strong audience from as far afield as Enniskillen, Colerain and Omagh.
Perfect Choice sellers to receive £1/2 million loyalty bonus
The transfer of Perfect Choice Funeral Plans from a trust fund-based operation to an insurance-based product with Ecclesiastical Insurance Group not only helped secure future business in the changing pre-arranged funerals market, but has also resulted in an unexpected benefit for Perfect Choice sellers: 400 of them will now share a tax free loyalty bonus worth in excess of £500,000.
NAFD tells Minister the Social Fund is failing
Work and Pensions Minister Kitty Ussher MP met with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Funerals and Bereavement on January 26 and was left in no doubt that the provision of funerals paid for by the Social Fund is letting down both families and the profession.
NAFD keeps up the pressure on key funeral issues
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) continues to work closely with its various Parliamentary Groups to press for change on a number of issues which are of concern to the funeral sector.
NAFD steps up Social Fund campaign
Since Parliament returned from the summer recess, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has been busy stepping up its campaigning, highlighting problems inherent with the system of Social Fund funeral payments and the importance of reforming the death certification process and Coroners’ Service.
CREMATION REGULATIONS 2008
Major changes in how cremations are arranged in England and Wales
Just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about cremations, the statutory forms and how to keep your clients well informed have all changed.
The major points to note are:-
- all the existing forms will be changed and will be numbered 1 to 13;
- the Application Form will no longer have to be countersigned;
- the next of kin of the deceased will have the right to inspect the forms completed by the Doctors, and this can be arranged at the crematorium. A form that should be handed to the applicant to ensure that they are aware of their rights and that no disputes can be raised later is enclosed, together with a suggested form of words for you to use to explain this right of inspection.
To find out more about how these far reaching changes will affect your business click here.
NAFD helps members get online
Hot on the heels of its exclusive offer to help supplier members improve their brand awareness, the National Association of Funeral Directors is giving funeral directing members the chance to promote their businesses – and improve the quality of information that is available to bereaved families and fellow funeral professionals – by going online.
Perfect Choice supports the re-launch of the Scotland Patients Association
Perfect Choice was delighted to support the Scotland Patients Association (SPA) at a reception at the Scottish Parliament on 10 September which provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the good work that is carried out by the SPA.
New Cross Party Group in Northern Ireland
In light of the significant achievements of the parliamentary groups that represent the funeral and bereavement sector at Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff and, more recently, Brussels, and the fact that devolved powers have been restored to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the National Association of Funeral Directors is keen see a Cross Party Group at Stormont.
Funeral portal generates new business opportunities
Consumers are increasingly comfortable using the Internet, especially for research purposes, and when it comes to finding out about the funeral service and searching for a funeral director, more and more people are turning to www.nafd.org.uk. Importantly, since visitors can access a database of local firms, the website is generating potential new business opportunities for NAFD members.
Consistency helps the NAFD contest top awards
The National Association of Funeral Directors has maintained its impressive track record in the Trade Association Forum’s Best Practice Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of the UK trade association movement – after being nominated as a finalist for the fifth successive year.
Parliamentarians support the profession on key issues
Following the Annual General Meetings of the three Parliamentary funeral groups, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) says they are hard at work supporting the profession in two of its key aims – to retain the VAT exempt status of the funeral service – which is currently under review by the European Commission – and to secure an increase in the £700 cap on funeral payments from the Social Fund.
Degree in Funeral Services to be launched for the first time in UK at University of Bath
A degree in Funeral Services is being launched at the University of Bath later this year - making it the first university in the UK to offer the course.Up to 20 students will be enrolled on the FDSc Foundation Degree in Funeral Services ...
Funeral directors sponsor new bereavement guide
Penhaligon’s Friends – the Cornish charity that supports grieving children and young people, parents and carers throughout the county – has joined forces with the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) to develop a new ...
NAFD makes headway on European funeral issues
The European Liaison Group has enhanced its understanding of funeral issues that affect all EU members and gained an invaluable insight into lobbying in Europe, during a series of briefings with influential members of the European Parliament and Europe ...
Citation announces scholarship for Foundation Degree students
Citation plc, the UK’s leading Health & Safety and Employment Law specialist, is supporting the new Foundation Degree in Funeral Services by offering students the chance to win a scholarship worth up to £3,000. The company has joined forces with ...
NAFD makes the case for realistic Social Fund payments
At one of the most important Ministerial meetings of the year, the NAFD joined representatives of the All Party Parliamentary Funerals and Bereavement Group for a meeting at the Department for Work & Pensions on March 6 with Social Fund Minister James Plaskitt MP...
NAFD advances the debate on key funeral issues
Following the decision to upgrade the European Liaison Group to a Cross Party Parliamentary Group in Brussels, NAFD chief executive officer Alan Slater, Dodge Group chairman Adrian Haler and Christopher Henley, the NAFD’s representative at the European Federation of Funeral Services, met with Malcolm Harbour MEP to review European political developments affecting the funeral sector....
Free recruitment support for NAFD members
The National Association of Funeral Directors is always looking to help its members develop their businesses and we appreciate that taking on extra staff can be a difficult task. We are therefore delighted to launch a new online recruitment service, which is designed to help members reach a wider target audience and generate greater interest in the employment opportunities they are offering by advertising vacancies free of charge on the NAFD website
NAFD Lines Up More Ministerial Meetings
Following a very positive meeting with Bridget Prentice MP, the Minister responsible for Coroners’ Reform, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) is continuing to campaign on the key issues affecting the funeral sector and has now lined up meetings with Ben Bradshaw MP, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, and James Plaskitt MP, Minister at the Department for Work & Pensions...
NAFD establishes new European Cross Party Parliamentary Group
After setting up the European Liaison Group in March 2007 to address European funeral issues, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) has taken the decision to upgrade the ad hoc committee to a Cross Party Parliamentary Group in Brussels...
NAFD launches marketing support for smaller funeral firms
Larger funeral directors have the resources and capabilities to study the marketing of their services, effect appropriate changes and test new ideas, whereas it is rare for marketing professionals to be employed in the independent sector...
First affinity deal for Perfect Choice Funeral Plans
Following the relaunch of Perfect Choice Funeral Plans in July 2006, a number of product enhancements have been introduced and now Perfect Choice has secured its first affinity deal with BT...
NAFD promotes the UK funeral service Stateside
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) developed international relations with its US counterpart and members and generated interest in the National Funeral Exhibition during a visit to the NFDA International Convention & Expo (October 7-10)...
NAFD Seizes the Chance to Lobby New Ministers
When Gordon Brown reshuffled his team after taking office as Prime Minister this summer, the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) wasted no time in seeking consultation with key Ministers on issues that are of concern to the funeral profession...
